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Friday, 16 October 2009

Blue Chromhidrosis "Smurf Syndrome" by Miss Xi Chen - Presentation in a Prize session at The Royal Society of Medicine

Last night our researcher, Miss Xi Chen, presented a fascinating case of Blue Chromhidrosis (blue coloured sweat) at the Prize Session of the Clinical Section of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Xi Chen is an anatomy student in Liverpool who gave up her summer to do research at The Whiteley Clinic.

She spent 3 months with us and has several research projects underway - the first to bear fruit was this case report.

It is a fascinating case of a lady in her 60's who started sweating blue coloured sweat last Christmas - a condition called Chromhidrosis and we have called "Smurf Syndrome" for obvious reasons. This is very rare and has not been reported in a post-menopausal lady before.

The full case report and literature review is being prepared by Miss Xi Chen for publication in the peer reviewed journals.

20 comments:

I have found speckled blue staining on my bras for the last year or so. By process of elimination I am certain it is not the fabric of the bras, soap powder, toilet soap, staining from other clothing or any other external source & have come to the conclusion it is my own perspiration that is the cause. Should I be concerned that this might be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires investigation

Hi, I also have chromhidrosis-I discovered it appearing when I was aprox 16, I am 23 now. it is very strange, no one in m family has had it. It is blue-grey patches under my skin on my cheeks which secretes excessive blue-black sweat when I exercise or get hot or stressed. Every doctor I have been to has no idea what it is-I'd appreciate any help you can give as it is extremely embarrassing and limiting.Many thanks.

Thank you for your interesting comment.I would be grateful if you cold send your information and a photo or two of your problem to Mark Whiteley at info@thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk or by post to Mark Whiteley At The Whiteley Clinic, 1 Stirling House, Stirling Road, Guildford GU2 7RF as I am very intersted in collecting case histories and possible cures for this condition.

Currently it might be possible to use a skin irritant which works in a propoetion of patients, or small doses of Botox - the problem with this second therapy is that it might weaken the muscles in the area.

Dr. Whitely, I have chromhidrosis. I discovered it at 16 after exercising. I was diagnosed at 23. I am now 39. While explaining my diagnosis to my family, my brother said he had black/blue sweat too. He first noticed it at sixteen after playing sports but thought it was from dirt/pollution. I have used capsaicin cream sporadically; it is not a good feeling having a burning ointment near my eyes. The condition appears less when my skin is sunburned. I equate this with the oil being dried up, or the skin is actually hot, just like when capsiacin is applied. I am 1 of 7 children and two of us have it. I would suspect it is genetic and is first seen during puberty. I am curious if dental filings may play a role? What about certain preservatives in immunizations? Isn’t it true, ingestion of silver can make the skin blue? Just some of my thoughts. I would be elated to have this condition gone, or just under control.

Thank you for your fascinating comment.I would love to know more - can you e-mail me at my clinic info@thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk or drop a letter to me at:The Whiteley Clinic, 1 Stirling House, Stirling Road, Guildford GU2 7RFI would like to know more about your condition - but without everyone reading your medical history!!Mark

I am a 60 year old women that has had this problem for approx a year. I noticed it mainly on my bedsheets. Right were the top part of my body would be is where this blue stain would appear. I am ruined 3 sets of sheets now. I thought it was my deorderant, my body lotion, my soap, my laundry detergent.. nothing stopped it. I stopped using deorderant except when really really needed it. I started using a gown with sleeves to protect my new sheets and believe me the underarms are totally blue. I have not tried any botox or capasin cream like I have read. I honestly think that I started when I started using Secret deorderant. Just wanted to see if you had came up with anything as of yet to stop this problem Elsie